Although there is no specific treatment for monkeypox, a smallpox vaccination should be given usually within two weeks of exposure to the monkeypox virus. Cidofovir (vistide) or vaccinia immune globulin is suggested for patients with severe or life-threatening symptoms or severely immunocompromised. But there is no data available on the effectiveness of cidofovir in the treatment of human monkeypox cases. For severe symptoms, supportive measures such as mechanical ventilation may rarely be needed. Consultation with an infectious-diseases expert and the CDC is recommended. It is also important to remember to vigilantly wash your hands after contact with an infected patient or contaminated objects, and teach others to do so as well.
PREVENTION: CDC is recommending that persons investigating monkeypox outbreaks and involved in caring for infected individuals or animals should receive a smallpox vaccination to protect against monkeypox. Persons who have had close or intimate contact with individuals or animals confirmed to have monkeypox should also be vaccinated. These persons can be vaccinated up to 14 days after exposure.
Although there is no specific treatment for monkeypox, a smallpox vaccination should be given usually within two weeks of exposure to the monkeypox virus. Cidofovir (vistide) or vaccinia immune globulin is suggested for patients with severe or life-threatening symptoms or severely immunocompromised. But there is no data available on the effectiveness of cidofovir in the treatment of human monkeypox cases. For severe symptoms, supportive measures such as mechanical ventilation may rarely be needed. Consultation with an infectious-diseases expert and the CDC is recommended. It is also important to remember to vigilantly wash your hands after contact with an infected patient or contaminated objects, and teach others to do so as well.
PREVENTION:
CDC is recommending that persons investigating monkeypox outbreaks and involved in caring for infected individuals or animals should receive a smallpox vaccination to protect against monkeypox. Persons who have had close or intimate contact with individuals or animals confirmed to have monkeypox should also be vaccinated. These persons can be vaccinated up to 14 days after exposure.